Hyderabad’s historic 435-year-old Charminar has found itself at the centre of a fresh political and heritage controversy as massive crowds throng the adjoining Bhagyalakshmi Temple during Diwali celebrations.
Thousands of devotees queued for hundreds of meters to receive free silver “Khazana” coins, while high-profile visits from BJP and BRS leaders further intensified public focus on the site.
The surge has raised sharp concerns among heritage activists, commentators, and Muslim organisations regarding the physical protection of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI)-protected monument.
Activists and political leaders, including representatives from the AIMIM, accused authorities of providing tacit legitimacy to the shrine, pointing to a 2012 Andhra Pradesh High Court order mandating a strict status quo on construction at the site.
In response to the heavy rush stretching past Gulzar Houz, Hyderabad Traffic Police deployed extensive security and traffic diversions around the Old City.
Meanwhile, political figures such as BJP MP K. Laxman praised the growing turnout as a matter of pride, whereas social activists and heritage commentators expressed alarm over the long-term impact on the 16th-century monument.
The controversy surrounding the shrine’s origins dates back decades, with past RTI disclosures from the ASI classifying the structure as unauthorised. As high-profile political visits continue, civic groups are calling on authorities to ensure strict compliance with heritage protection laws and judicial mandates.
